Sept. 6, 2007

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland football team made its final preparations for this weekend's trip to Florida International, and the weather conditions couldn't have been more appropriate. Temperatures soared into the lower 90s, a perfect prelude to the intense heat the Terps are likely to face in Saturday's game at the Orange Bowl in Miami.

"We've had a good week to prepare for it," said coach Ralph Friedgen after practice. "It's probably as warm as it's been all camp. But it will be warmer down there."

As they typically do on a Thursday practice during game week, the Terps ran through a light session, heavy on special teams work. The team's regulars ran plays against their scout team counterparts, and practice concluded with a two-minute session.

The first team defense stopped quarterback Jordan Steffy and the first string offense short of scoring in the first two-minute drive. Steffy completed several passes to tight end Joey Haynos to move his team into position for a long field-goal attempt, but Obi Egekeze's kick sailed wide right. Egekeze later redeemed himself with a 45-yarder to end practice.

After practice, Friedgen said he was impressed with the effort of his starters.

"When the first team offense and the first team defense compete against one another, it's pretty good. They compete pretty well," he said. "Jordan was very into the game plan today. I thought his decisions were pretty good in practice."

The second team offense fared no better than the offensive starters. Second-string quarterback Chris Turner dumped his first pass off on a screen play to reserve running back Da'Rel Scott, who ran for more than 20 yards, and the offense looked to be in prime scoring position with a first down near the 30-yard line. The defense sacked Turner on two of the next three plays, however, and the Terps defenders forced the offense back out of field goal range.

At the conclusion of practice, Friedgen reminded his players they needed to focus, despite the fact that they were facing a Florida International team that has lost 13 straight games.

Friedgen also announced the captains for Saturday's game, as chosen by the players. The offense selected preseason All-America guard Andrew Crummey, while the defense chose defensive tackle Carlos Feliciano. J.J. Justice was named the special teams captain for the week.

Olugbemi Otulaja, a junior defensive lineman out of Freeport, N.Y., and Kyle Sappington, a redshirt freshman offensive lineman out of Phoenix, Md., were named the defensive and offensive scout team players of the week, respectively. Freshman wideout Torrey Smith also drew praise from Friedgen for his work with the scout team offense. Friedgen said that linebacker Chase Bullock may return this week in a limited role. He also mentioned that second-team quarterback Chris Turner, who completed 4 of 6 passes with two interceptions in the season opening win over Villanova, may again see game action against FIU, depending on the situation.

Kickoff for Saturday's game with Florida International is set for 7:05 p.m. (ET) from the Orange Bowl in Miami.

The game will be streamed over the internet on ESPN 360 and heard over the Terrapin Sports Radio Network, which includes WHFS 105.7 FM in Baltimore, WJFK 1300 AM in Baltimore and WJFK 106.7 FM in Washington, D.C.

Students and staff on the University of Maryland campus will have access to the game on ESPN 360. For more information,click here.